The Minnesota Vikings have multiple openings to fill this summer, none more important than at quarterback, where Kirk Cousins is scheduled to enter free agency. But Minnesota also needs to improve its running game, which finished 29th in yards and 30th in touchdowns last season.
As the league moves away from awarding large contracts to running backs, the draft is the most cost-effective way to do this. Justin Melo of The Draft Network believes they are a “top fit” for Michigan’s Blake Corum.
“Corum was electric for the Wolverines this season,” Melo stated on February 15.
“Corum’s knack for finding the end zone will impress NFL scouts. The Marshall, Virginia native, ranked No. 56 overall in our most recent TDN100 update, is a patient, clever runner who evades defenders in tight spaces. Corum has inherent spatial awareness, which allows him to change his rush course as needed.
Corum and Edwards both ran for more over 100 yards on the ground in Houston. For the first time in CFP Title Game history, a team had two 100-yard rushers in the game.
Melo expects Corum to be a “instant contributor” at the next level after his outstanding senior season at Michigan, which featured a national championship.
His 1,245 rushing yards in 2023 were a decrease from his 1,463 yards on the ground in 2022. Corum, on the other hand, led the nation with 27 rushing and total scores (non-quarterback), with an additional one coming by air.
Blake Corum ‘Should Appeal’ to Cap-Strapped Vikings Ahead of the 2024 Draft
Blake Corum, #2 for the Michigan Wolverines.
“Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is sorting through decisions at quarterback while also preparing to sign Justin Jefferson to a record-breaking extension,” Melo went on to say. “Adding Corum on a four-year, cost-controlled contract should appeal to the Vikings.”
If Cousins does not make the roster in 2024, his salary will be counted against the salary cap at $28.5 million.
That figure rises if the Vikings fail to reach an agreement with him before his current one-year, $35 million contract expires.
Cousins’ next contract is projected to last multiple seasons and pay roughly $40 million per year, according to Spotrac. The Vikings have $28.9 million in cap space before making any other changes this summer.
Jefferson has shown confidence in himself and his contract position, regardless of Cousins’.
Even if the Vikings part ways with Cousins this offseason, and perhaps especially if they do, a solid running game is a quarterback’s best buddy.
Corum, who stands 5-foot-8 and weighs 200 pounds, has the potential to revive the Vikings’ backfield in 2024.
The Vikings running backs were inconsistent.
Alexander Mattison, #2 of the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings have five running backs under contract for next season. This includes Alexander Mattison, who led the squad with 700 yards on the ground. He did not score a rushing touchdown, but he did score three times as a pass receiver out of the backfield.
Top backup Ty Chandler also returns after rushing for 461 yards and three touchdowns. He became the Vikings’ first 100-yard rusher since the 2022 campaign.
This past season, Chandler averaged 4.5 yards per run compared to Alexander’s 3.9.
The Vikings also signed former Miami Dolphins running back Myles Gaskins to a futures deal this offseason. He joins prior Vikings draft picks Kene Nwangwu and DeWayne McBride, who rushed for 13 yards combined in 2023.
